Third man arrested in shooting of Fullerton police officer

FULLERTON – Police have arrested a third person suspected of being involved in the shooting of a Fullerton police officer during a traffic stop, authorities announced Thursday.

Police believe Andre Jones, 22, was a passenger in the vehicle involved in the shooting. Marcos Bush, the man investigators suspect of shooting the officer, was arrested Sunday, while Sjanee Duhart was also arrested on suspicion of being an accessory after the fact.

The shooting occurred shortly after midnight Sunday, when the officer stopped a Pontiac Grand Prix near Woods and Knepp avenues.

The officer approached the driver's side of the vehicle, but due to a dark tint on the car's windows, he couldn't see into the back-seat area, Fullerton police Sgt. Jeff Stuart said. As the officer stood close to the vehicle, attempting to determine how many people were inside, he was shot multiple times.

Police credit a ballistic vest the officer was wearing with saving his life. The officer, who has been with the department for seven years, is expected to make a full recovery.

Several hours after the shooting, California Highway Patrol officers in Riverside saw the vehicle believed to have been involved in the shooting. The driver of the vehicle, Duhart, was taken into custody and later charged as an accessory to the attempted murder of a police officer. Investigators believe Duhart was not in the Grand Prix in Riverside when it was pulled over but had attempted to "hide or conceal" after the shooting, Stuart said.

On Sunday night, Bush was arrested after a foot pursuit that began at an Anaheim home. Bush, who police say discarded a semiautomatic handgun during the pursuit, was arrested and charged with multiple felonies, including attempted murder of a police officer.

On Wednesday, Fullerton and Anaheim investigators found Jones in the area of Knott and Lincoln avenues.

Jones attempted to flee on foot but was caught and arrested, Fullerton police Chief Dan Hughes indicated in a written release.

Bush and Jones have had previous run-ins with the law.

Bush, who police identified as a documented gang member, was on parole after a 2008 conviction for aggravated assault, criminal threats and domestic violence. Two weeks before the shooting, Bush was acquitted by a jury on gang-related attempted murder and carjacking charges, police said.

At the time of his arrest, Jones, an Anaheim resident who has previously been charged with illegally possessing a firearm, assault and narcotics violations, was wanted on suspicion of absconding, police said.

Authorities described Jones as being part of the newly instituted Post Release Community Supervision program, which was created by the state Legislature as part of a larger overhaul of the California Criminal Justice System. Offenders in the program, who before the state's "inmate realignment" plan would have been supervised by state parole, are instead supervised by county probation officers.

Fullerton police say they are asking the Orange County District Attorney's Office to file attempted murder of a police officer charges against Jones. They are also asking anyone with information about the case to call police at 714-738-6800 or to provide anonymous tips to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS or occrimestoppers.org.

Andre Jones. COURTESY OF THE FULLERTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
A Fullerton Police officer making a traffic stop early Sunday morning on Knepp Avenue and Woods Avenue in Fullerton was shot multiple times by the driver. The officer was able to return fire before the gunman drove away. KEVIN WARN, FOR THE REGISTER
Fullerton Police investigate after a Fullerton Police officer making a traffic stop early Sunday morning on Knepp Avenue and Woods Avenue in Fullerton was shot multiple times by the driver. The officer was able to return fire before the gunman drove away. KEVIN WARN, FOR THE REGISTER
A Fullerton Police officer making a traffic stop early Sunday morning on Knepp Avenue and Woods Avenue in Fullerton was shot multiple times by the driver. The officer was able to return fire before the gunman drove away. KEVIN WARN, FOR THE REGISTER
Fullerton Police investigate after a Fullerton Police officer making a traffic stop early Sunday morning on Knepp Avenue and Woods Avenue in Fullerton was shot multiple times by the driver. The officer was able to return fire before the gunman drove away. KEVIN WARN, FOR THE REGISTER
Fullerton Police investigate after a Fullerton Police officer making a traffic stop early Sunday morning on Knepp Avenue and Woods Avenue in Fullerton was shot multiple times by the driver. The officer was able to return fire before the gunman drove away. KEVIN WARN, FOR THE REGISTER
Photos provided by Fullerton police Sgt. Jeff Stuart show the impact point (below the letter O) of the first round that struck an officer making a traffic stop early Sunday, March 17, 2013. The location is right over where his heart is located. The fact that he was wearing the vest quite likely saved his life according to Stuart. COURTESY OF FULLERTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
Photos provided by Fullerton police Sgt. Jeff Stuart show the impact point (below the letter O) of the first round that struck an officer making a traffic stop early Sunday, March 17, 2013. The location is right over where his heart is located. The fact that he was wearing the vest quite likely saved his life according to Stuart. COURTESY OF FULLERTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
Sjanee Duhart, 27, was charged with being an accessory to the attempted murder of a police officer. COURTESY OF FULLERTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
The District Attorney's Office charged Marcos A. Bush, 29, with the attempted murder of a police officer. COURTESY OF FULLERTON POLICE DEPARTMENT

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